As green hydrogen takes centre stage in global decarbonisation efforts, the race to make it cost-competitive is intensifying. In 2023 alone, more than $570 billion was invested globally, positioning green hydrogen as a game-changer for clean energy. However, challenges in production costs, securing demand, and scaling infrastructure remain barriers to its broader adoption.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has a unique advantage, with abundant renewable energy resources, industrial heritage, and proximity to key demand centres. Yet, to realise its potential, the region must address bottlenecks such as the complexity of the supply chain, a lack of mature infrastructure, and the difficulty of establishing long-term offtake agreements for hydrogen projects.

Innovative approaches, such as Germany’s H2 Global initiative and localised research and development efforts like NEOM’s Hydrogen Innovation and Development Centre, are helping to bridge these gaps. By fostering regional collaboration and advancing storage and transport solutions, MENA can establish itself as a leader in the global hydrogen economy.

In Episode 22 of Future Energy Insights, Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Cornelius Matthes, CEO of Dii Desert Energy, and Panos Bafis, a leading hydrogen investment expert. Together, they discuss how the MENA region can overcome barriers, seize opportunities, and accelerate the path to making green hydrogen a cornerstone of the energy transition.

Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES

What lessons can the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and regional businesses draw from COP29’s outcomes to accelerate its sustainability journey?

Hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, COP29 marked a turning point with commitments to scale climate finance, operationalise carbon markets, and enhance adaptation frameworks. These global developments have significant implications for MENA, particularly as the region strives to balance economic growth with ambitious sustainability goals.

Key outcomes include a pledge to triple climate finance to developing nations, reaching $300 billion annually by 2035, and advancements in Article 6 carbon market mechanisms, opening opportunities for carbon trading and crediting in developing countries. Additionally, the Baku Adaptation Roadmap emphasised the importance of transformational strategies to bolster climate resilience.

For SMEs that form the backbone of MENA’s economy, these milestones present opportunities to access new markets, funding, and technologies that can align their operations with global sustainability goals. However, challenges remain, from navigating complex regulatory landscapes to building capacity for adaptation and decarbonisation.

In episode 21 of Future Energy Insights, Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Eftal Efeçınar, Chief Strategy and Partnership Officer at Coral and David Auriau, Chief Executive Officer at Positive Zero. Together, they delve into how the MENA region can build upon COP29 outcomes to create a sustainable and resilient future.

Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES

Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a game-changer in the energy sector, with the potential to bring new levels of optimisation and efficiency. On episode 20, we delve into how AI could help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10% by 2030, examining the innovations that could transform energy management worldwide.

From predicting building energy use to improving manufacturing processes and even boosting agricultural yields, AI offers powerful tools for energy efficiency. But, like any powerful tool, AI comes with its own energy needs. The computing power required for AI is growing rapidly, doubling every 100 days, according to some studies. This surge in demand has even led to coal-fired power plants in parts of the U.S. being kept online to support new data centres.

Episode 20 explores the balance needed to ensure AI remains a sustainable solution.

Dr. Morgan Eldred, founder of Digital Energy consultancy services and an expert in AI-driven energy efficiencies, and Hassan Shamma, Chief Technology Officer at UAE-based Enerwhere, specialising in off-grid solar solutions, join Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, to discuss the double-edged sword of AI’s energy-saving potential alongside its growing energy consumption

Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES

With the current financing gap for climate tech estimated to be as high as US$2 trillion, innovators and entrepreneurs in the space often struggle to secure funding. On episode 19 we discuss exactly what makes a climate tech project attractive to the investment community with key insights that every startup needs to know.

For entrepreneurs and startups in the climate tech space, securing funding can be a major barrier to opportunity and growth.

According to research by Deloitte, the current financing gap for climate tech could be as much as US$2 trillion. Recently released data from Bloomberg New Energy Finance also revealed that global sustainable finance issuance volumes stood at US$1.3 trillion in 2023 - down from US$1.55 trillion the year prior, and from the US$1.8 trillion peak in 2021.

Global economic uncertainty, greenwashing concerns, regulatory opacity and horizon scaling issues are all contributing factors, which means that breakthrough innovators need to up their investability game while investors, in turn, need to be prepared to take a leap of faith.

On episode 19, recorded at the 2024 World Future Energy Summit, we chat with two UAE based experts and examine what it will take to improve entrepreneur access to green finance; discuss exactly what makes a climate tech project attractive to the investment community; and share key insights on how to present your idea or business in the best investable light.

Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Rabih El Chaar, CEO and co-founder of waste management innovator Nadeera Technologies, and Jana Elkova, Small and Medium Projects Development Expert for the UAE Ministry of Economy.

Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES

From privately owned vehicles to company fleets and mass transit, eMobility investment and strategies are shaping our transportation future. On episode 18 we look at how global cities are adopting and scaling their electric networks and discuss potential economic opportunity in establishing local manufacturing capabilities.

Urban planners, municipalities and policy makers are increasingly shifting focus towards low-carbon mobility solutions as federal governments continue to action net-zero 2050 strategies.

The role of eMobility in supporting sustainable urban development under the scope of the United Nations SDG 11 reflects a global push for electric vehicle adoption by individuals, for company fleets, and as future-proofed mass transit solutions.

Cities around the world are adopting and scaling their electric public transportation networks while the sector also offers fresh economic opportunity in terms of investment into manufacturing technologies at a national level.

On episode 18, recorded at the 2024 World Future Energy Summit, we discuss what needs to be done to drive adoption private and public sector buy-in; examine the state-of-play for critical infrastructure development; and, with both the UAE and Saudi Arabia investing in electric vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), ask what does this mean for the region and the global outlook for eMobility?

Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Naveen Ahmed, Advisor & Country Transaction Coordinator Pakistan for the Private Financing Advisory Network, and Ali Al Marzooqi, Director of Mobility at Positive Zero.

Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES

Sustainable, resilient, and climate-positive urban environments are not a pipe dream, and regenerative design is a game-changer in transforming the built environment. On episode 17, we discuss how governments, urban planners, and communities can come together to reverse climate change.

By 2050, two out of every three people will be living in cities or major urban centres. With cities generating around 75 percent of global CO2 emissions, the race is on to create sustainable, resilient, and climate-restorative cities.

Regenerative urban design will play a pivotal role in helping transform the built environment to enhance potential for net-positive impact on natural systems. From retrofitting a commercial building with a green skin to creating wetlands that capture and store rainwater, there is ample opportunity for cities and citizens to rebuild a harmonised relationship with nature.

This episode was recorded during the 2024 World Future Energy Summit. Our invited experts identify the global cities setting benchmarks for regenerative design, discuss what it takes for a city to become a carbon sink, and ask whether major gateways like London, New York and Dubai can go beyond carbon neutrality and into the realm of carbon negativity?

Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Dr Hala Omar, Sustainability Manager at turnkey consultancy Dar Al-Handasah, and Vice President of the Egypt Green Building Council; and Laurence Kemball-Cook, founder and CEO of clean-tech company, Pavegen.

Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES

Imagine a world where treated wastewater not only protects our environment but also drives innovation and creates jobs. This vision remains largely untapped, yet it's within our reach!

According to current UN Environment Programme data, only 11% of the world’s treated wastewater is reused. Shockingly, around 50% of untreated wastewater pollutes our rivers, lakes, and oceans.

In Episode 16, recorded at the 2024 World Future Energy Summit, we explore the future of wastewater treatment with two leading experts in the field.

Beyond irrigation and industrial cooling, treated wastewater can recharge groundwater aquifers, be used as a concrete additive in construction, and even produce biogas through waste-to-energy technology.

Treated wastewater reuse is a valuable yet underutilised resource. It offers a circular economy opportunity, creates new revenue streams and jobs, fosters innovation, and advances wastewater management practices.

Our host, Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Alicia Dauth, Senior Associate Consultant – Environment at AESG,
and Dr Chakravarthy Gudipati, Executive Director - Water Technologies at the Technology Innovation Institute, a leading global research centre under the remit of the Abu Dhabi Government’s Advanced Technology Research Council.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the latest technologies transforming wastewater treatment and optimising its usage.

Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES

Anticipated rampant growth in global demand for green hydrogen presents a major economic opportunity for many countries and is also a progressive zero-carbon journey solution for heavy industry high emitters. On episode 15, we examine both opportunities, looking at which countries are already keen on clean hydrogen and what’s driving strategic decision-making.

Green hydrogen, a clean and scalable energy storage solution, is more than just a zero-emission industrial feedstock. It's a transformative energy source with incredible potential, positioning itself as a beacon of sustainability.

The clean hydrogen market is expected to see exponential future demand growth. McKinsey reports that by 2050, green hydrogen could dominate the global supply mix, with a share of between 50 and 65 percent across scenarios.

While this is contingent upon a significant decline in production costs between 2030 and 2050, it represents a major economic opportunity for GCC nations and other global players.

But for heavy industry high emitters, abundant green hydrogen resources can’t be ignored as a zero-carbon solution and could be one of the most straightforward ways to cut emissions.

In episode 15, recorded at the 2024 World Future Energy Summit, we engage in a thought-provoking discussion with two climate change innovators. We explore the crucial decision of whether to localize or commercialize, delve into the factors driving strategic decision-making for governments, and ponder over what it means for countries in the region and their ambitious regional net-zero goals.

Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Frank Wouters, Chairman of the MENA Hydrogen Alliance and Dii Desert Energy Advisory Board; and Wietse ter Veld, Clean Hydrogen Expert - Middle East for AtkinsRéalis.

Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES